Oregon’s Peter DeFazio pushes the light rail over BRT to replace the interstate bridge
Concerns about lack of urgency were raised and there was no specific project
In a recent interview with Willamette Week, Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio reiterated his support for the light rail system as part of the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project (IBRP). He said so knowing that the light rail killed the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) nearly a decade ago.
“I don’t really understand what the objection is,” DeFazio said, explaining that he thought attitudes on the Washington side of the Columbia River had changed in recent years.
DeFazio spoke about the $ 2.25 trillion infrastructure package that is currently under discussion by Congress and the Biden administration. He chairs the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which is considering a five-year reauthorization of most highway and transit financing and policies as part of the infrastructure spending plan.
According to reports, approximately $ 115 billion of the package would be used to repair roads and bridges selected by those most in need of repair. This includes 20,000 miles of freeways and roads, the 10 “most economically important” bridges in the US, and 10,000 smaller bridges.
He fears that if passed, the administration would fund the country’s “top 10” projects and that the interstate bridge “has no project yet”.
The IBRP team, led by ODOT and WSDOT, went through a very deliberate process that focused on equity. You have set up an Equity Advisory Group and a Community Advisory Group, some of which might think they slowed the process of creating a project. This reflects the process that ODOT and its consultants are using for the I-5 Rose Quarter project.
This graphic was created to show the survey results of the citizens’ priorities and values for the project. It turned out that reducing traffic congestion by a large percentage is the number one priority of people. Seismic vulnerability was their next concern. People also appreciated reducing traffic congestion and using their money efficiently. Graphic IBRP
The Biden administration is looking for projects that can be completed within eight years. Given what DeFazio sees as a lack of urgency, he fears this project would not make the list. He cited the Washington legislature’s failure to provide funding and also a sluggish conversation with Oregon Governor Kate Brown.
DeFazio mentioned that there is a $ 100 billion backlog to get existing transit systems in good working order. The overall package increases spending on roads, bridges and highways by 40 percent. Transit by 140 percent; and rail by an infinite number according to DeFazio.
Of particular importance to the Biden Plan, DeFazio said, is a proposal that would give the Secretary of Transportation discretion in rebuilding the ten most economically important bridges in the United States. He thought the Interstate Bridge project might be number 11, “but we could put pressure on it.”
“I received a Columbia River crossing years ago that was designated a project of national importance,” he said. “I think we’d do the count.”
To get the project in the top 10, DeFazio would increase the risk of an earthquake in the Cascadia subduction zone and the “risk to these two bridges” (Interstate and Glenn Jackson) as well as the economic impact on the region.
Light rail sticking point
“The light rail is still a sticking point in my understanding,” he said. He had a conversation with Kris Strickler (ODOT director), who suggested adding a fast bus service to the project and a light rail system later. DeFazio said, “That doesn’t really work for me.”
He mentioned that the amount of federal funding for the express bus service (BRT) will not be nearly as high as for the light rail.
“You know, it just doesn’t make a lot of sense,” he said. “I don’t know what the concern is on the other side of the river.”
“I think attitudes have changed there,” said DeFazio. “But apparently there are still concerns about overtaking the light rail, and any unwanted people will ride on the light rail I think. I don’t know what the fuck are you worried about? “
He was asked a follow-up question. “Congressman Blumenauer described the light rail system as a must for this project. Do you see it the same way? “
DeFazio replied, “I think it would be incredibly stupid to do this project without extending the light rail across the river. Yes.”
No current plan
“The problem is we don’t have a plan.” according to DeFazio. He believes there is no sense of urgency in either the States or the ODOT / WSDOT efforts overseeing the project.
“I’m not sure Oregon will be ready,” he said, referring to the Biden government’s desire to complete projects within 8 years.
He had a meeting with Oregon Governor Kate Brown and was not enthusiastic about the project. When asked if the governor was optimistic about the project, he replied, “I didn’t make much of it.”
Their conversation touched on many topics, so it wasn’t just about the bridge project. DeFazio said he has not spoken to Washington Governor Jay Inslee in a long time.
The Congressman spoke about the failure of the Washington legislature to provide funding for a replacement bridge project. He was disappointed. The lack of a funding proposal in the Oregon legislature was not mentioned.
The previous CRC efforts were discussed. He said he and Senator Patty Murray had worked together to achieve the federal commitment to fund the light rail. “It was a first impression project because (the federal motorway administration) had never done a railroad project that was integrated into a large motorway bridge,” he said.
DeFazio spoke of the Cascadia subduction zone and the chances of a major earthquake that caused the bridge to collapse. “We are at an extraordinary risk,” he said. The I-5 corridor is the fifth largest truck route in the United States that it has listed.
DeFazio is unsure if the I-205 bridge meets standards since it was built. “I never asked that question, but we should,” he said.
DeFazio was asked to clarify the current bridge project. “You said you believe a new CRC should qualify, but possibly not because there is currently no plan between Washington and Oregon. Is that correct?”
“Yes, that would be a problem,” replied DeFazio.
Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio
The light rail was picked up again and he was asked, “Congresswoman Herrera Butler disagrees with you and thinks it’s stupid to have a light rail in Vancouver. How do you react to that? “
“I haven’t spoken to Jaime about this topic since she was on my committee a few years ago.” he has answered. He was referring to a violent exchange they had. He was in the minority at the time.
DeFazio believed she had moved on on the matter. “She has advanced on a number of other issues,” he said. “I just didn’t talk to her about it.”
He was asked to argue why the light rail is such an important piece of a major project.
According to DeFazio, connecting Vancouver and all of its commuters to the light rail system would be absolutely vital. “They operate BRT up there. They drive their buses on the breakdown lanes to the Oregon border, where we don’t allow that. “
He mentioned discussions with ODOT about using all of the existing asphalt or concrete on highways. He said many cities are using their rush hour lanes for commuting, and Oregon should do the same. Washington rides its buses on the shoulders of the freeway but has to get back into lanes with traffic on the Oregon side.
“We have a light rail in northeast Portland and it makes perfect sense to bring it across the river,” he said. “It’s a lot more energy efficient.”
According to DeFazio, Portland’s light rail can handle more capacity. This may be a questionable claim to many, given the short length of city blocks in downtown Portland that TriMet can only put two cars on a train.
He acknowledged that light rail vehicles are more expensive to purchase, but believes in the long run that they would be cheaper compared to running a whole range of buses.
Consider other options before adding lanes
Regarding his transportation proposals, DeFazio spoke about states needing to review all options before building more highways. “If they have capacity problems and problems with congestion, they need to look at all the alternatives before putting more concrete or asphalt,” he said.
He referred to a problem on I-95 between Richmond, Virginia and the Washington, DC area. The project would cost $ 10 billion to $ 12 billion to add a new lane in each direction, and when it was complete Virginia expected the highway to be congested again.
Instead, the project will cost $ 4 to 5 billion to build a local transit line. A new bridge needs to be built over the Potomac. DeFazio believes it will get a lot more cars off the streets, reducing the carbon footprint for these commuters.
DeFazio was asked if Washington lawmakers would ever “get on board” the light rail. He responded by pointing out that there are many light rail vehicles in Seattle. “I don’t really understand what the objection is” in southwest Washington.